9.26.2007

Calling all Uptowners...Have you checked out Hudson River Cafe? The minute my friends and I walked into this anomaly on 133rd & 12th Ave. we immediately sang in unison, "doesn't it feel like we're in Greece?"

Between the heavy, Euro bass beats coming from the live DJ on the rooftop, the tangerine-umbrella patio and the cool breeze that blessed us last weekend, we certainly felt an out-of-Harlem experience. This is rare, especially when it comes to dining above 96th St..

The actual food was pretty good, with lots of healthy, grilled options. But the desserts and drinks were the trump cards. The key lime pie was to die...

Definitely check out HRC while it's still warm enough to sit on the patio. The ambiance and proximity to the water is very cool. The interior will still work when the temperatures bottom out.

Fellas, take your girl out for a midnight drink or something sweet. It's def. a cute date spot. But please, don't take all your girls to the same restaurant - not cool!

Suggested advanced donation of $20 via paypal: info@showcasenyc.com Donations will be accepted at the door. 100% of proceeds go to...

Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade has raised and distributed over $450 million worldwide from 1992 through 2006 to advance breast cancer research, access to care, diagnostics and screening, support services, and awareness and education programs. The Avon Foundation has provided more than $27.3 million since 2000 in New York and the surrounding region to support programs including: The Avon Foundation Breast Imaging Center and the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Research Laboratories at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center.

Sisters Network ® Inc. (SNI) is the leading voice and only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States. SNI promotes the importance of breast health through empowerment, support, breast education programs, resources, information, and research. Membership is 3000, which includes over 40 affiliate chapters nationwide.The organization’s purpose is to save lives and provide a broader scope of knowledge that addresses the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African American women around the country. As a nationally recognized organization among leading medical establishments and breast cancer physicians, Sisters Network is also recognized as a critical information resource for African American women.

Last week, WEEN (Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network) hosted their official launch party at Bo Concept in New York City. Celebs and community figures came out to show their support of the organization whose mission is to create "a coalition of women committed to supporting, promoting, and defending the balanced, positive portrayal of women in entertainment and in society." WEEN plans to achieve their mission through corporate social responsibility, media impact and grass roots efforts. We also hear that Kimora Lee Simmons and Joss Stone are lending their celebrity to help the group achieve it's goals.

Choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson from chatted with The B-Life about her challenges working in the business as a female. She referred to the latest and most-hyped incident with Diddy and Michael Bivins stating that "I was the bigger person by not bringing him to the courtroom". Although we, the public, will never truly know what happened, it's clear that Laurie Ann plans to use all her experiences (both positive and negative) to instill change and positivity. Laurie Ann intends to give back by hosting dance seminars that teach body confidence and creativity to young children.

We also spoke with Dr. Benjamin Chavis, CEO/President of The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, about his goal is to "raise public awareness about the diversity and empowerment of hip-hop music." He feels that hip-hop is somewhat misunderstood and that our biggest challenge is to "become better advocates of hip-hop music...it transcends race, economics, and geography."

Valeisha Butterfield with Miss USA, Rachel Smith and MyaThe B-Life also sat down with Mya (who was super-sweet and glowing). She plans to collaborate with WEEN to lend her star power and support by spreading the word about this movement and coming together with women who believe that hip-hop music can be a positive. She hopes to work with the organization to fight the stigmas and negative stereotypes associated with the industry. Mya accepts her role model status and will continue to "celebrate sexuality & individuality." As a panelist, she'll focus on teaching young girls about the "many dimensions of women, positive body image, defining success, and self-esteem." (We always loved Mya, but The B-Life is officially sold!)

Terrence J, 106 & Park

Rocsi, 106 & Park

D-Nice & Mashonda

Advisory board member, Kristi Henderson wants to encourage women to log-on to their website to register...the goal is 1 million women. She also mentioned the organization's plans to release a pink list of artists who support WEEN.

Present the attached file or the red flyers to redeem the Friends & Family offer in-store. In order to redeem on stevemadden.com, enter FandF2007 in the Promotional Code box on the Shopping Cart page and click "Apply Code".

Disclaimers to the Friends & Family Weekend discount include:

ALL fields on the flyer regarding customer information must be completed or it cannot be redeemed

Not valid at Steven by Steve Madden locations

Not valid towards special orders, previous purchases, or the purchase of gift cards.

9.20.2007

We just tried a brand new product that we HAD to share with you. Carol's Daughter has been holding down the black-owned skincare segment, but Nubian Heritage recently launched 4 new skincare collections in over 97 JCPenney salons around the country.

COCONUT & PAPAYA (DRY, DULL & AGING SKIN)Maybe we're reminiscing about summer vacation as the breezes in NYC start to cool, but we were taken back to a happy place when we indulged in the Coconut & Papaya (anti-aging) Soap with real vanilla beans and Coconut & Papaya Lotion.No sponges necessary (they hold too much bacteria), but never fear because Nubian Heritage worked up a frothy coconutty-lather, and left us with a hint of papaya as lingering afterthought. Nice. The body lotion sealed the deal and had the skin feeling supple and satiated long enough to last a 16 hour day.When you're running around from home - to work- to the gym - to your other job - to meet with friends and back, with no time to treat yourself to the massage or vacation you desperately need, drop the drugstore brands and reach for products that give you the proper pampering. Nubian Heritage has a complete line and is 100% black owned. Now that's a conscious way to indulge!

9.19.2007

Join Triumph, this Saturday, September 22th, 2007 as they host an exclusive shopping event at "N Harlem" from 6-8pm, which will mark the launch of the "Our Renaissance Series".

"N Harlem" was founded by a group of African American business people who had thriving corporate careers but wanted to make a difference and make a stamp on the Harlem rejuvenation.

The store will have their new fall lines that are a mixture between the classic lines that you would expect in Soho (Paper Denim & Cloth, Hugo Boss, etc) as well as local designers ("Minoritees", Nubian Gardens, etc.). This special shopping event includes trunk shows, discounts on handbags, and their in house tailor, who makes custom shirts and suits for men, will be present for orders.

A portion of all sales will go to the Metro Manhattan Community Foundation (*Triumph DOES NOT receive any proceeds from this event!)

9.18.2007

Michael Baisden and other community leaders have called on us to support the Jena 6 by attending the rally in Louisiana or showing our unity and wearing ALL BLACK on Thursday September 20th, 2007.If you haven't heard much about Jena 6, perhaps it's because our news is inundated with reports of Lindsay's latest DUI. The B-Life loves to enjoy the lighter side, but its time to give proper attention to a case of modern-day racial injustice in Jena, Louisiana.

The story has many layers, but this timeline lays everything out. Basically, a flurry of racially charged incidents was initiated when a young black man had to asked permission to sit under the "white tree" at school. The next day, 3 nooses were hanging from that very tree as a warning. Thereafter, tensions ran high in Jena, and black students were beaten, arrested, and unfairly charged with overly harsh crimes when they tried to defend themselves.

It's easy to push the days of Jim Crow and KKK out of our minds when we enter corporate offices, ad agencies, and universities on the daily. They say racism always exists, but becomes more institutional than overt once you've "made it". We're not claiming one is better than the other, but in places like Jena, lives were threatened because of these men are black.

If you're in or around Jena, please support the protest. If not, you can sign the online petition.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN PROTEST FROM ANYWHERE:1. Wear BLACK on September 20th to protest Un-Equal Justice wherever you are2. Register to Vote to make your voice heard beyond today3. Sign the Petitions above4. Email government officials5. Call government officials6. Tell your friends and co-workers to do the same

RALLY & MARCH FOR PEACE AND JUSTICEDATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2007LOCATION: JENA, LAWHAT TO WEAR: BLACKSCHEDULE:*

7:00am Protesters assemble at Ward 10 Recreation Park

7:30am March to the steps of the LaSalle Parish Courthouse

8:00am Prayers / Speakers front of the Courthouse

9:00am Sentencing for Mychal Bell

11:00am March to Park / Rally in Support of Mychal Bell & the Jena 6

2:00pm Adjournment

4:00pm Town Hall Meeting on "Quality Education without Fear or Intimidation" C-Span

* Schedule is tentative and subject to change based on sentencing time

9.12.2007

How many ladies complain about "not having a man", but never leave their DVR long enough to get out and meet someone new? I'm not trying to oversimplify the dating game (NYC, I know ya'll feel me), but it's imperative that you put yourself out there (just a little) to potentially create situations where you can be engaged by new and interesting people.

As The B-Life mentioned in an earlier post, ESSENCE is following 5 beautiful black women in the Tri-State area as they attempt to find a real connection in 30 days. Talk about pressure... But these ladies aren't completely left to their own devices because we have been charged to select who these ladies will go out with! ESSENCE deserves the highest props for taking magazine publishing/online interactivity to the next level with such an entertaining twist. Tune in on September 17th, but for now, click here to see a preview of 30 Dates in 30 Days!

For those of you who want to find love but haven't been cast in an online reality dating show...check out Single, Sexy, and Sassy!

9.11.2007

It's a wonder that Kimora has time to design a collection, raise 2 adorable daughters, fly around the world and maintain a steamy social life. We so envy the Queen of Fabulousity! How does she do it? Let's take a look at what's she's put together for Spring 2008...

Thanks to Raj, we captured behind-the-scenes action before the show.

MYA

MARY J. BLIGE & KENDU ISSACS

NICK CANNON & SELITA EBANKS

ASIA (PCD REALITY SHOW)

ADRIAN BAILON

Overall, the Baby Phat collection was consistent. The designs included bright-colored sportswear that students enrolled in The Fab Academy will devour. Congrats to our favorite renaissance woman!

About Me

The B-Life was conceived to share information with friends and peers who want to indulge in the best that NYC and beyond has to offer. The B-Life connects so many of us who have similar backgrounds, desires, and ambitions. It's 6 degrees of separation...it's a community...it's a lifestyle.

Ps. The B-Life is looking for a few exciting people, places, products, and projects to feature in an upcoming filmed segment. Send an email to theblife@gmail.com above for consideration.

The B-Life Gallery

Are you living The "B-Life"?

B real...

Let's b real...The B-Life doesn't own (or claim to own) all of the pictures used on the site. Pretty, pretty, pretty please don't sue us for any wrongdoing, misrepresentation, perjury, or any other legal claims we're not familiar with...9 times out of 10 we're talking about you/your company in a positive light. Just keepin' it real!